Power lift



March 16, 1943. D. M. MORRIS POWER LIFT Filed June 21, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 16, 1943.

D. M. MORRIS $314,235

POWER LIFT Filed June- 21, 1941 2 She-etS Sheet 2 f" AP @9 M Patented Mar. 16, 1943 WEED stares rowan inn David M. Morris, Richmond, Ind, assignor to International Harvester Qcmpany, a corporation or New Jersey Application June 21, 1941, Serial No. 399,151

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a planter. 1Viore specifically it relates to the driving construction and power lift of a grain drill.

In grain drills which include a plurality of drill elements positioned side by side and a plurality of covering wheels positioned side by side behind the drill elements, it is the practice to drive the seed-feeding mechanism from the covering wheels through a common shaft on which the wheels are mounted. In certain constructions there are three independent shafts in line with covering wheels attached to each shaft, and the seed-feeding mechanism for one-half the drill elements is driven from the covering wheels mounted upon the shaft at one end, and the seedfeeding mechanism for the other half of the drill elements is driven fromthe covering wheels mounted upon the shaft at the other end. The

' power-lift arrangement is similar so that one-half of the drill elements are raised by turning of the covering wheels on the shaft at one end and the other half, by turning of the covering wheels on the shaft at the other end. The drawback to the above arrangement is that turning of the planter causes seed to be deposited faster at one-half of the drill elements and slower at the other half and causes the lifting of the seed elements to transport position to be effected. By the present invention the center section of covering wheels drives the seed-feeding mechanism and the power lift so that the effect of turning of the planter is minimized.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved planter.

A further object is the provision of an improved grain drill of the covering wheel type.

Another object is to provide an improved mode of driving a planter.

A still further object is the provision of an improved mode of driving the power lift of a planter.

Another object is to provide an improved means for the connecting of a covering wheel mechanism to a planter.

A still further object is to provide an improved covering wheel arrangement for the supporting and driving of the planter mechanism.

According to the present invention, a grain drill is composed of a plurality of drill elements and a plurality of covering wheels arranged in three sections, each having a shaft which carries the covering wheels of the section and which is in-= dependent of the shafts of the other section. The power lift for the drill elements and the seedfeeding mechanism which deposits seed atthe drill elements are driven from the center covering-wheel section.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side view of the planter of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the planter with certain parts omitted;

Figure 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure l which shows the arrangement and construction of the covering wheel evener sections; and,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view which shows the connection of the links of one of the covering wheel sections to the planter.

The reference character I I! designates a rectangular frame of the improved planter of the present invention. The parts of the frame are composed of angle members comprising longitudinally extending end members H and transversely extending members i2, I3, and i4 connecting the end members. The front of the frame it is supported on a truck i5 composed of caster wheels. it, castering means H for the caster wheels, castings 58 in which the castering means are pivoted, and an I-beam I 9 which extends between the caster wheels I 6 and which is secured to the castings i 8 by depending parts 20. Each casting i8 is secured to the frame in by a pair of diverging angle members 20a, each secured at one end to the casting i8, at the other end to a transverse member 13, and at an intermediate point to the transverse member l2 by an arched brace 20b reenforced at a mid-point by a brace 200. Each casting is also connected to the frame ill by a pair of closely spaced longitudinally extending angle members 20d which are secured to the casting i8 at one end, to the transverse member as at the other end and to the transverse member 53 and to the brace 2% at intermediate points. The rear of the frame is supported by three covering wheel sections comprising end sections 2! and 22 and a middle section 23. Each section comprises ashaft 24 and a plurality of covering wheels 25. The wheels 25 of the center section 23 are secured to the shaft 24 for rotation therewith for transmission of drive power from the shaft, as will be hereinafter described. Bearing members 26 are mounted near the ends of the shafts 24. The bearing members are connected to the transverse member i3 of the frame In by pairs of links 21 which are pivotally connected to brackets 28 secured to the transverse member I3, as best shown in Figure 4.

The links 21 are also connected to the rear transverse member H ina manner now to be described. A pair of brackets 29, as best shown in Figure 3, are securedto the member l4 at the adjoining ends of the covering wheel sections. An inverted Uashaped member 35 is pivotally connected at its mid-point to each bracket.29 as shown at 29'.v The ends of the U-shaped members 39 are pivotally connected to connecting members 3|, as indicated at 3|, which extend between and are pivotally connected to the links 21 by means of elements 21. It will be noted by inspection of Figure 3 that the adjacent ends of the members 39 are connected to the connecting members 3| of the center section. The outer end of each U-shaped member 39 is connected to the connecting member 3| of one of the end sections.

The pivotal connection of the U-shaped members 39 to the frame l4 and to the connecting members 3| will allow vertical movement of one section with respect to the other and yet will keep the sections transversely spaced.

During the operation of the planter it is necessary that the middle section of the covering wheels is at all times in engagement with the ground, which is due to the fact that the rotation of the wheels of the middle section provides the means for driving the planter. During planting over uneven ground there is a tendency of the end sections to lift the middle section out of engagement with the ground. This tendency is overcome by the pivotal connections of the U- shaped members 30 and the connecting members 3| to the links 21.

If during the operation the end sections strike an elevation in the ground, the end sections will ride the elevation and in so doing will cause the ends of the U-shaped members to pivot on the connecting members 3|. At'this point of operation the end sections are now raised to a higher level than the middle section. As a result, the U-shaped members 30 will be pivoted on the brackets 29 about the pivot 29, and the adjacent ends of the U-shaped members will be forced downwardly, thus exerting a downward pressure on the middle connecting member 3| and thereby keep the middle section in engagement with the ground. A similar result, of course, is obtained if only'one of the end sections rides over an elevation in the ground. If only the middle section meets with an elevation, the end sections will be free for independent vertical movement with respect to the middle section.

To provide for flexibility between the U-shaped members 30, the middle connecting member 3| is provided with slots at the central pivot points 3|. Thus, either or both of the end sections are free to be raised or depressed with respect to the center section, and the thrust on the members 29 will be minimized. g

Mounted upon the frame I9 is a grain receptacle 32 which extends the width of the frame. In the bottom of the receptacle is positioned a plurality of grain-feeding mechanisms 33 which contain rotatable feed wheels that feed grain from the receptacle down through flexible tubes 34 to drill elements 35. The feed wheels, not shown, in the mechanisms 33 are driven by a pair of shafts 35. The shafts-39 are driven by sprocket chains 31 meshing with sprockets 39 secured to the shafts 35. The chains 31 are driven by counter-shafts 39 through sprockets 40 secured thereto and meshing with chains 31. The counter-shafts 39 are driven from a shaft 4| through gears 42 and 43 meshing with one another and respectively mounted on the countershafts 40 and the shaft 4|. shaft 4| is a sprocket 44 which is in mesh with a chain 45, meshing in turn with a sprocket 45 secured to the shaft 24 of the center coveringwheel section 23. Thus, drive is transmitted from the covering wheels of the center section to the seed-feeding mechanism 33.

Also mounted on the shaft 4| are sprockets 41 which are in mesh with sprocket chains 48, meshing in turn with sprockets 49 forming part of continuously rotatable parts 50 of power-lift devices 5|. Each power-lift device has also an intermittently rotating member of which a crank 52 forms a part. The end of the crank 52 fits in a slot 53 formed in a part 54 adjustably connected by a screw 55 and a nut 59 with a member lift devices 5| are separately operable through ropes 92 extending forwardly to within easy reach of an operator on a tractor connected to the planter through hitch members 93 connected to a plate 53a secured to the I-beam l9. A forward pull on the ropes 62 causes the power-lift devices to operate. When a rope is pulled, the intermittently rotating part is caused to engage the continuously rotating part 50. Thus, for example,

there is an angular movement of the crank 52 which causes a rearward movement of the parts 54 and 51 and an angular movement of the arm 59 and the rock-shaft 59. This causes an angular movement of the arms 60 and a resultant raising of the links GI and the drill elements 35. Raising and lowering of the drill elements 35 with respect to the frame I0 is permitted by virtue of the connect ons between the frame l9 and the drill elements 35, which connections comprise pairs of links 64 secured at one end to the drill elements'35 and pivotally connected at the other end to brackets 55 secured to the transverse member |2.

Adjustment of the depth of the drill elements is effected by adjustment of the members 54 and 51 with respect to one another, which members connect the power lift device 5| and the rockshafts 59. As seen in Figure l, adjustment of the parts 54- and 51 with respect to one another is effected by rotation of the screw 55 in the nut 56. Connected to the forward end of the screw 55 is a rod 59 which carries at its front end adjacent the truck |5 a crank portion 51. The screw 55 is held against axial movement with respect to the part 54 by a collar 68 secured to the screw and a member 69 secured to the part 54 and retaining the collar 58.

The power lift devices 5| have not been shown in detail, since, per se, they form no part of the present invention. The important thing regarding the power-lift devices is that they be driven from the center cover-wheel section 23. Thus, if the lift devices are operated during a turn, the turn has little effect upon the lifting of the drill elements 35, since the speed of the covering wheels 25 of the center section 23 varies little if Mounted upon the The same is true of the speed with which seed is deposited at the drill elements 35.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that a new and novel planter construction has been disclosed, in which the center wheels of the planter are used for driving seed feeding mechanism and a power-lift means whereby turning of the planter is substantially without ellect on the rate of planting or upon the operation of the power-lift means.

The intention is to limit the invention only within the scope of the appended claims.

What is,claimed is:

1. In a machine comprising a frame, a plurality of planting elements, means mounting the planting elements for movement between a lowered planting position and a raised transport position, covering-wheel means comprising two end sections and a middle section each composed of a shaft and a plurality of covering wheels connected thereto, the sections being arranged with the shafts independently rotatable and extending in generally the same direction, means connecting the covering-wheel sections to the frame, the combination with the planting elements and the middle covering-wheel section of power-lift means connecting the shaft of the middle covering-Wheel section and the planting elements for causing the planting elements to be raised to transport position by rotation of the covering wheels of the middle section.

2. In a machine comprising a frame, planting means including a plurality of planting elements and driven means for depositing seed, means mounting the planting means on the frame for movement of the planting elements between a lowered planting. position and a raised transport position, covering-wheel means comprising two end sections and a middle section each comprising a shaft and a plurality of covering wheels connected thereto, the sections being arranged with. the shafts independently rotatable and extending in generally the same direction, and means connecting the covering-wheel sections to the frame, the combination with the planting means and the middle covering-wheel section, of means connecting the shaft of the middle covering-wheel section and the driven means of the planting unit for causing the covering wheels of the middle section to drive the driven means for depositing seed, and of power-lift means connecting the shaft of the middle covering-wheel section'and the planting element for causing the covering wheels of the middle section to raise means comprising two end the planting elements to transport position, whereby turning of the machine affects neither the raising of the planting units nor the rate of planting.

3. In a machine comprising a frame, a plurality of planting units arranged side by side, means mounting the planting units on the frame for movement between a lowered planting position and a raised transport position, a pair of separately adjustable power-lift devices mounted on the frame means connecting one power-lift device with one-half of the planting units and the other power-lift device with the other half of the planting units and including a pair of independently rotatable rock-shafts extending in generally the same direction, covering-wheel sections and a middle section each comprising a shaft and a plurality of covering wheels secured thereto, the sections being arranged with the shafts independently rotatable and extending generally in the same direction, and means connecting the coveringwheel sections to the frame, the combination with the planting units and the middle coveringwheel section of means connecting the shaft of the middle covering-wheel section and the inde-- pendently operable power-lift devices for causing the covering wheels of the middle section to raise the planting units to transport position, whereby turning of the machine is without effect upon raising of the planting elements, and one-half of the planting elements may be raised independently of the other half of the planting elements.

4. In a planter, a frame, a seed container mounted thereon, driven means for feeding seed from the container, a plurality of planting elements, means for mounting the planting elements for movement between planting and transport positions, power lift means mounted on'the planter for raising and lowering the planting elements, a covering wheel means comprising a middle section and two end sections each including a shaft and covering wheels connected thereto, each shaft being independently rotatable with respect to the other, means for driving the driven means and the power lift from the shaft of the middle section, means for independently connecting the end and middle sections to the planter, and means for connecting the end sections to the middle section to allow independent vertical movement of the sections with respect to each other.

DAVID M. MORRIS. 

